Research conducted among LGBTIQ+ people of faith in Victoria has highlighted the need to create safe, welcoming spaces in our communities and places of worship. Creating supportive networks for faith leaders in which to share experiences and learn from each other.

At this forum, participants had opportunity to share best practice approaches, including provision of pastoral care to LGBTIQ+ people of faith, use of inclusive/affirming language and interpretation of scripture.

Faith and/or community leaders contributed to a sensitive and respectful conversation to support positive mental health and well-being outcomes for LGBTIQ+ people of faith.

While many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people lead healthy and fulfilling lives, research clearly indicates that discrimination, abuse and exclusion on the basis of sexual and/or gender identity are key contributors to increased rates of depression, anxiety and self-harm (Leonard et al. 2015).

In August 2017, some of those recipients gave their time to report on progress and work still to do:

Imam Nur Warsame, Marhaba Melbourne, reported his small team has gone from supporting regularly 500 to over 1,000 Muslim youth from around Australia and world struggling with their identity and wishing to reconcile sexuality with faith. With increased public profile, he is also providing ancillary support now from parents struggling to understand/accept/love their LGBTIQA+ child/ren. Patrick Abboud invites us to “Meet Australia's first openly gay Imam” via SBS | The Feed http://www.sbs.com.au/news/thefeed/article/2016/05/02/meet-australias-first-openly-gay-imam

Discussed the value in acknowledging and including Indigenous Australians in our thinking, role-modeling and activities, encouraging all community to be pro-active. http://www.agmc.org.au

On Seeking Mental Health Support from Mainstream, Religious and LGBTIQ Services.

Overwhelmingly, experiences were negative due to invisibility; misrepresentations; erasures and invalidation; pathologization; problematization; condemnation and lack of resources. On reclaiming Multicultural Queer Histories by answering two questions:

Why is homosexuality considered by some Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) individuals and communities to be Western “sin”, “sickness”, “crime”?

How has colonialism erased, ignored, or re-written pre-colonial and pre-Christian sexual and gender diversities?

• GLHV is a LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing policy and resource unit committed to improving health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ Victorians and quality of care received.

Delivers programs focusing on sexual health and aging, same-sex attracted and sex and gender diverse (SSASGD) young people, and LGBTI-inclusive practice. Provides LGBTIQ+-training, support and resources to workers across the health, education and community sectors

• 2014’s Nothing for them: understanding the support needs of LGBTIQ+ young people from

• 2016’s Something for them: Meeting the support needs of same sex attracted, sex and gender diverse (SSASGD) young people who are recently arrived, refugees or asylum seekers. This report aims to better understand and address unique experiences and needs of same sex attracted, sex and gender diverse (SSASGD) young people who are recently arrived, refugees or seeking asylum in Australia. Website: http://www.glhv.org.au/report/something- them

A Panel Discussion had invited speakers speaking of their personal and religious tradition’s openness, reality and suggestions for Successful Approaches to Inclusion

Facilitated by: Sharon Hollis, Uniting Church

• Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black, Leo Baeck Centre

• Molina Asthana, Asian Rainbow Network

• Rev. Dr Avril Hannah-Jones, Uniting Church

• Dr Reem Sweid, Muslims for Progressive Values

• Rev. Dr Sunny Chen, Melbourne University

On behalf of Buddhist Council Victoria Interfaith (bINTER) and Glen Eira Interfaith Network (GEIFN), thankyou to Organisers and Participants working tirelessly to redress historical, and presenting inequalities. Inspired programming on day, beautiful catering and refreshments was well-received. Shining a spotlight on some of the challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ identifying individuals and local “heavy lifters” creating brighter futures. Thankyou to the wider community for their vocal, heart warming and demonstrative positive support for a more equitable society. Received with gratitude.